Even if you have already visited Sicily during summer you would not recognise the island in winter, especially during holiday season. Let’s face it: Sicily is hardly considered a destination for winter holidays, yet there is so much you can enjoy.
First of all Sicilians take Christmas holidays very seriously. Christmas markets pop up in every little town as well as in Palermo and Catania. After all Sicily has a long tradition of open-air markets: their christmassy counterpart are usually filled with local delicacies, Christmas decorations and handicraft.
This year our reccommendation is for the markets of Palermo. In the capital of the island you will also have the chance to attend the festive version of the Street Food Festival. For the first time the festival that celebrates Sicilian and international street food gets a Christmas edition, that you should not miss.
Looking for more things to do in Sicily for Christmas?
If you are a foodie there are two more stops you might add to your list. The first is a classic of Sicilian Christmas: Castelbuono. This little medieval hamlet and its castle on mounts Nebrodi have a unique charm, and here you will find one of the most famous pastry shops on the island: its name is Fiasconaro, and its specialty is Panettone. It is a different kind of panettone: the original recipe is from Milan, Fiasconaro made a few changes and created different kinds of panettone to be served with smooth creams made from local ingredients such as pistachios and manna. If spending winter holidays surrounded by a mediaval setting sounds fancy the second stop you should make is in Erice where you will have the chance to taste – besides the traditional Sicilian Christmas delicacies – a local specialty the “Genovese”.
